Three police officers, civilian charged with gun theft

The suspects Mark Kibet, Ian Karani Mutua, Eric Gachogu Mwangi and civilian Kenedy Mwangi Wangeci were arraigned before Baricho Law Court. [Timothy Kariuki, Standard]

Three police officers and a civilian suspected of robbery with violence have today been charged with gun theft.

The three attached to Kabonge Police Station in Ndia, Kirinyaga county and the civilian were charged with stealing an AK 47 rifle at the station.

Mark Kibet, Ian Karani Mutua, Eric Gachogu Mwangi and civilian Kenedy Mwangi Wangeci were arraigned before Baricho Law Court.

The four were charged that on February 2, 2024, at Kabonge police station in Kirinyaga West within Kirinyaga county, conspired to commit an offense by stealing an AK 47 firearm serial number 794468 which belonged to Constable Mark Kibet.

Constable Eric Gachogu Mwangi and the civilian Kennedy Mwangi Wangeci were jointly faced with a second charge that the same day, they stole an AK47 rifle loaded with a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition.

Wangeci was also faced with a third charge that on February 12, 2024, at Ndiriti village in Ndia without reasonable excuse, was in possession of an AK 47 firearm loaded with a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition without a certificate which he could use in a manner prejudicial to public order.

Wangeci was found in possession of 16 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm special rounds of ammunition without a certificate which he used in a plan prejudicial to public order.

The four denied the charges before Baricho Senior Principal Magistrate Stephen Nyaga before two of the officers Mark Kibet and Ian Karani Mutua were each released on a Sh500,000 bond.

Constable Eric Gachogu and Wangeci were however denied bond after the lead prosecution Jane Maari told the court that the two are being investigated over robbery cases and theft of firearms in Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties.

The Magistrate directed the two be held at Kerugoya GK prison until March 7, 2024, when their case will be mentioned.

Detectives from Baricho Police Station told the court that Wangeci, 27, was arrested with an AK47 rifle and 16 rounds of ammunition that matched the one that had been stolen at Kabonge police station.

The detectives acting on an intelligence report discovered the gun buried in a shallow grave outside the suspects' house at Ndiriti village in Ndia.

The firearm was stolen after the sentry and report office attendant stepped out of their areas of deployment leaving the firearm unattended to at the reception.